Pouch type package and associated method for adapatation of such a package

ABSTRACT

A pouch type package for fluid contents, comprising two opposite flexible side walls forming a top corner portion which is provided with an opening initiation along which a tab is to be separated for opening of the package. The opening initiation comprises a first tear line provided in a first of the two opposite flexible side walls and a second tear line provided in a second of the two opposite flexible side walls. The first and second tear lines extend in an at least partly non-overlapping manner from a common starting point such that a wall section of an inner surface of the first side wall is exposed after separation of the tab. The invention also relates to a method of adaptation of a pouch type package for enabling insertion of a straw.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pouch type package for fluid contents and more specifically to such a package provided with an opening initiation in a top corner portion and an associated method of adaptation of such a package for enabling insertion of a straw.

BACKGROUND ART

Many different types of packages for liquid contents are currently available. One type of package is of pouch type and comprises two side walls which are flexible and joined along a connecting portion to form a compartment, whose volume is dependent on the relative position of the walls. The pouch type package may be of stand-up pouch type and may then also comprise a bottom wall.

This type of packages may, before filling, be in a flat and sealed state. This makes it possible to sterilise the compartment of the packages in connection with manufacture and, with maintained sterility, distribute the packages to a filling plant, such as a dairy, to be filled.

The package may be of a size suitable for immediate consumption, such as having a volume in the range of 100-400 ml. The package may be provided with straw to be used for consumption of the contents.

The straw may be inserted into the package via a frangible piercing point provided in the side wall of the package, as disclosed in e.g. US2003128899.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,642 discloses a package of stand-up pouch type with a built-in straw. The straw is accessible by removal of a top portion of the package.

Alternatively, the package may be provided with an opening initiation in a top corner portion of the package. By removal of a tab along the opening initiation, an opening is formed through which the straw may be inserted.

A pouch type package provided with two opening initiations in a top corner portion is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,458. The two opening initiations are arranged spaced apart, and each opening initiation comprises two overlapping tear lines. A notch is formed in a sealed top portion of the package. When opening the package, a user initiates a tear from the notch, a tear which will propagate to the first opening initiation and then along the same. If the tear misses the first opening initiation, it will still have the possibility to meet the second opening initiation and to propagate along the same. Another pouch type package provided with a plurality of opening initiations is also known from WO03/095327.

In view of the above, there is a demand for an improved pouch type package which may be used together with a straw.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of that stated above, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved pouch type package for use together with a straw.

To achieve this object and also other objects that will be evident from the following description, a pouch type package having the features defined in claim 1 and a method for adaptation of a pouch type package having the features defined in claim 10 are provided according to the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the package and the method will be evident from the dependent claims.

More specifically, there is provided according to the present invention a pouch type package for fluid contents, comprising two opposite flexible side walls forming a top corner portion which is provided with an opening initiation along which a tab is to be separated for opening of the package. The opening initiation comprises a first tear line provided in a first of the two opposite flexible side walls, the first tear line constituting a single tear line provided in the first side wall, and a second tear line provided in a second of the two opposite flexible side walls, the second tear line constituting a single tear line provided in the second side wall. The first and second tear lines extend in an at least partly non-overlapping manner from a common starting point such that a wall section of an inner surface of the first side wall is exposed after separation of the tab.

Hereby an improved pouch type package for use together with a straw is provided. The package has a top corner comprising a tab which may be separated in order to form an opening of the package. The tab may be separated by means of tearing along the opening initiation. Of course, the tab may alternatively be separated by means of cutting.

However, if the tab is separated by tearing, the tearing will be guided by the tear lines of the opening initiation. As a result of the tear lines extending in an at least partly non-overlapping manner, a section of the inner surface of the first side wall will be exposed after separation of the tab. The exposed section provides an improved access to the interior of the package when inserting a straw. A straw end of the straw may be placed on the exposed wall section and by pressing laterally on the exposed wall section while pushing the straw into the package, the opening of the package formed by separation of the tab will open-up thereby facilitating the insertion of the straw.

The first tear line constitutes a single tear line provided in the first side wall. By ensuring that the first side wall is provided with a single tear line only, interference with any additional tear lines during tearing is avoided.

The second tear line constitutes a single tear line provided in the second side wall. By ensuring that the second side wall is provided with a single tear line only, interference with any additional tear during tearing lines is avoided.

The first and the second tear lines have a common starting point. This means that the first and second tear line extend in an overlapping manner along an initial section of the opening initiation, which may facilitate the start of the separation of the tab.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and the second tear lines may have a common end point. This means that the first and the second tear line may extend in an overlapping manner along a terminal section of the opening initiation, which may facilitate the end of the separation of the tab.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first tear line may have a straight extension. Hereby it is ensured that the exposed inner surface of the first side wall does not include any protruding part such as a flap or a tip which may bend while the straw end is pressed laterally on the exposed surface.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first and second tear lines may each be formed as a weakening in the associated side wall. The weakening may be formed by e.g. die cutting, roll punching, laser scoring, perforating or slitting.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the package may further comprise a seal forming a restricted flow passage in the top corner portion of the package, wherein a straw is insertable through an opening of the package formed upon separation of the tab and further through the restricted flow passage. The restricted flow passage may be adapted to the straw such that a leak tight insertion of the straw into the package is enabled.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the package may further comprise a straw supported by one of the first and second side walls.

The first and second side walls of package may be made of a multilayered packaging material.

The pouch type package may further comprise a bottom wall.

The pouch type package may be of stand-up pouch type.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adaptation of a pouch type package for enabling insertion of a straw, the method comprising providing a pouch type package having two opposite flexible side walls forming a top corner portion of the package and arranging in said top corner portion an opening initiation along which a tab is to be separated for opening of the package. The opening initiation comprises a first tear line provided in a first of the two opposite flexible side walls, the first tear line constituting a single tear line provided in the first side wall, and a second tear line provided in a second of the two opposite flexible side walls, the second tear line constituting a single tear line provided in the second side wall. The first and second tear lines are arranged to extend in an at least partly non-overlapping manner from a common starting point such that a wall section of an inner surface of the first side wall is exposed after separation of the tab, whereby a straw is insertable into the package by placing a straw end of the straw on the exposed wall section of the inner surface of the first side wall and laterally pressing on the exposed wall section while pushing the straw into the package.

According to an embodiment of the method, the step of arranging the opening initiation in said top corner portion is performed by forming the first and second tear lines in a web of packaging material which subsequently is converted in to the pouch type package. Hereby a plurality of pouch type packages, each provided with an opening initiation of the type described above, may be efficiently produced.

The details and advantages of the second aspect of the invention are largely analogous to those of the first aspect of the invention, wherein reference is made to the above.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pouch type package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the pouch type package shown in FIG. 1 after opening by separation of a tab along an opening initiation.

FIGS. 3a-b are schematic side views illustrating insertion of a straw into the package shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4a-b are schematic, detached side views illustrating a top corner portion provided with an opening initiation of an alternative embodiment of the inventive package.

FIGS. 5a-b are schematic, detached side views illustrating a top corner portion provided with an opening initiation of another alternative embodiment of the inventive package.

FIGS. 6a-b are schematic, detached side views illustrating a top corner portion provided with an opening initiation of yet another alternative embodiment of the inventive package.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

A pouch type package 1 of stand-up pouch type according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1, to which reference is made. The package 1 may be used as a pre-made package adapted to be filled and sealed in a filling machine. Alternatively, the package may be produced fully or in part in the filling machine.

The package 1 is especially intended for products in the form of liquid foodstuffs such as milk, water, fruit drinks, juice or wine, but it may, of course, also be intended for products in some other form or for other purposes.

The package 1 may be of any desirable volume. The volume may be chosen such that the contents are suitable for immediate consumption and may then be in the range of 100-400 ml.

The package 1 comprises three flexible walls, two of which constitute a first and second side wall 2, 3; and the third constitutes a bottom wall. The first side wall and the bottom wall are not visible in the figure. The walls are joined along a connecting portion 4 to define a product compartment 5. The walls are made of a bendable and flexible material, which means that the volume of the product compartment 5 depends on the relative distance between the walls. The volume of the product compartment 5 is thus directly dependent on the filling ratio of the package. In other words, the package 1 is of a collapsible type, also referred to as pouch type package.

The walls of the package 1 are preferably joined in the connecting portion 4 by welding. Also other methods of joining, such as gluing, are conceivable.

The shown package 1 has a top corner portion 6 provided with an opening initiation 7 along which a tab 8 is to be separated for opening of the package. An opening 9 is formed when the tab 8 is separated from the package 1 making the product compartment 5 communicate with the environment. The opening initiation 7 and the opening 9 will be discussed more in detail below.

The opening initiation 7 may be formed prior, during or after the manufacturing of the package 1. For instance, a web of packaging material may be provided with a succession of opening initiations 7 at predetermined locations, which web of packaging material at a later stage may be converted into packages of the type shown in FIG. 1.

Generally, it is desirable for the selected package material to consist of a multilayered film and may comprise a core layer of mineral-based filler and a binder of polyolefin. It will be appreciated that also other materials and layers are possible, such a gas barrier layer or a light barrier layer. The package material may also be a transparent package material, i.e. each of the layers making up the material is transparent.

At the rear end of the package 1, a handle compartment 10 filled with gas and forming a handle 11 is shown. The handle compartment 10 is defined by the two side walls 2, 3 and the peripheral connecting portion 4. However, it is to be understood that the present invention also relates to packages provided with a handle of other types or not being provided with a handle at all.

As mentioned above, the handle compartment 10 is filled with gas in order to form a handle 11 of the package 1. By gas is preferably meant air, but of course also other gases may be used. The handle compartment 10 has such a geometry and filling ratio as to form an easy-to-grip handle 11 in inflated state. Such a handle 11 may also promote by its geometry and gas filling a considerable rigidity of the package 1.

The package 1 may be opened by separation of the tab 8 thereby forming an opening 9 of the package. Naturally the tab may be separated by cutting of the like, but preferably the tab 8 is separated by tearing.

Separation of the tab 8 may be accomplished by the tab being completely loosened from the package. Alternatively, the tab 8 may remain attached to the package after separation, thereby facilitating complete recycling of the package material after use.

As mentioned above, the package 1 has a top corner portion 6 provided with an opening initiation 7. By an opening initiation 7 is in this context meant an arrangement comprising two tear lines arranged in a respective one of the two side walls 2, 3, which tear lines guide the tear propagation when the tab 8 is separated manually from the package by tearing.

The opening initiation 7 thus comprises a first 12 and a second 13 tear line provided in the first 2 and second 3 side wall, respectively. The first tear 12 line is indicated by a dashed line and constitutes a single tear line provided in the first side wall 2, and the second tear line 13 constitutes a single tear line provided in the second side wall 3. The top corner portion 6 of the package 1 according to the shown embodiment is thus provided with only one opening initiation 7.

Each of the first and second tear line 12, 13 may be provided as a weakening in the respective side wall 2, 3 formed by for instance die cutting, roll punching, laser scoring, perforating or slitting. The tear lines may be provided such that the integrity of the package is maintained. As mentioned above, the opening initiation 7, and more specifically the tear lines 12, 13 of the opening initiation 7, may be formed prior, during or after the manufacturing of the package 1.

As evident from the figure, the tear lines 12, 13 extend in a partly non-overlapping manner.

According to the shown embodiment and as evident from the detached enlargement shown in FIG. 1, the first and second tear line 12, 13 have a common starting point 14 and extend in an overlapping manner along a first section S1 of the opening initiation 7. The tear lines 12, 13 then extend in a non-overlapping manner along a second section S2 corresponding to the width W of the opening 9 formed by removal of the tab 8. Finally, the tear lines 12, 13 extend in an overlapping manner along a third section S3 and terminate in a common end point 15.

In the shown embodiment, the start pointing 14 and the end point 15 are located at the free edge of the connecting portion 4 on the respective side of the opening 9 of the package 1. It should be understood that the starting point 14 and/or the end point 15 may be located at a distance from the free edge of the connecting portion on the respective side of the opening 9. In such a case, the initial and/or the final tearing will not be guided by the opening initiation when the tab 8 is separated from the package 1.

Since the first and second tear lines 12, 13 in the shown embodiment have a common starting point 14 and run in an overlapping manner along the first section of the opening initiation 7, the initial separation of the tab along the opening initiation 7 may be facilitated.

Correspondingly, since the first and second tear lines 12, 13 in the shown embodiment have a common end point 15 and run in an overlapping manner along the third section of the opening initiation 7, the terminal separation of the tab along the opening initiation 7 may be facilitated

As mentioned above, the tab 8 may be arranged such that it still is attached to the package after separation. This may be achieved by the tear lines 12, 13 of the opening initiation having a common starting point and separate end points (not shown). The final tearing will in such a case be perceived as an increased resistance as the tearing propagates from the opening into the connecting portion at the other side of the opening, thereby indicating for the user to halt or stop further tearing such that the tab remains connected to the package by a small portion of the connecting portion. The same effect may for instance be achieved by arranging a common end point for the two tear lines in the connection portion at a distance from the free edge of the packaging as illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a -b.

The expression “the tear lines extend in an overlapping manner” should be construed as meaning that the tear lines extend in the respective side wall one above the other; and correspondingly, the expression “the tear lines extend in a non-overlapping” should be construed as meaning that the tear lines do not extend in the respective side wall one above the other as viewed in the side view shown in FIG. 1.

As evident from the figure, the first tear line 12 has a straight extension while the second tear line 13 has a bent extension. More specifically, the second tear line 13 diverges from the first tear 12 line along a first part of the second section S2 and then bends back and converges with first tear line 12 along a second part of the second section S2.

In the shown embodiment, the package 1 is further provided with a seal 16 in the top corner portion 6 forming a restricted flow passage 17 arranged between the opening 9 formed upon removal of the tab 8 and the product compartment 5 of the package 1.

As mentioned above, the package is opened by removal or separation of the tab 8 along the opening initiation 7, thereby forming an opening 9. In FIG. 2, to which reference now also is made, the package 1 is shown in an open state. The tab 8 has been separated from the package 1 along the opening initiation 7 and an opening 9 has thus been formed making the product compartment 5 communicate with the environment.

The tab 8 may be separated by tearing, and the tear lines 12, 13 of the opening initiation 7 will then guide the tearing. As a result of the first and second tear lines 12, 13 extending in a non-overlapping manner along the second section S2 of the opening initiation 7, a wall section 18 of the inner surface of the first side wall 2 will be exposed after removal of the tab 8.

The exposed wall section 18 of the inner surface of the first side wall 2 may be used in order to facilitate insertion of a straw into the product compartment 5 of the package 1, which now will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3a -b.

In FIG. 3a , a straw end 19 of a straw 20 has been placed on the exposed wall section 18 of the inner surface. By pressing the straw 20 and its straw end 19 laterally on the exposed wall section 18, the opening 9 of the package 1 is opened-up and the straw 20 may be pushed into the package 1 as shown in FIG. 3b . The exposed wall section 18 of the inner surface of the first side wall 2 will thus make the insertion of the straw 20 into the package 1 much easier.

As mentioned above, the first tear line 12 has a straight extension. As a consequence, the exposed wall section 18 does not include any protruding part which may bend or yield when the straw end 19 is pressed laterally thereon which will facilitate the insertion of the straw 20. Rather, the opening 9 will be opened-up in response to the pressing on the exposed wall section 18.

As seen in FIG. 3b , the straw 20 is inserted into the product compartment 5 of the package 1 via the restricted flow passage 17 defined by the seal 16. By suitable design of the flow passage 17, the straw 20 may be made to extend through the restricted flow passage 17 in a sealing manner, whereby leakage of the contents of the package 1 through the restricted flow passage 17 and out via the opening 9 of the package 1, when the straw 20 is inserted into the package 1, may be avoided or at least substantially reduced. Thus, an accidental squeezing of the package will result in the contents being pushed up through the straw only, and not being pressed out through the opening.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

For instance, the pouch type package must not be a package of stand-up pouch type. Thus, the pouch type package may be a pillow shaped package having only two opposing side walls.

Further, the shown embodiments of the inventive package comprise the restricted flow passage formed by the seal, but it is understood that the invention also is applicable to packages not having such a restricted flow passage.

Also, the package may be provided with a straw, which may for instance be supported by one of the two side walls of the package. When the user wishes to consume the contents of the package, the straw may be detached from the package and then inserted into the package once the tab has been separated.

Further, the opening initiation may be designed in other ways. A couple of such designs are shown in FIGS. 4a-b and FIGS. 5a -b.

In FIG. 4a-b , the first and second tear lines 12, 13 are curved in opposite directions along a section of the opening initiation 7.

In FIG. 5a-b , the first tear line 12 has a straight extension. The second tear line 13 extends in an overlapping manner relative the first tear line 12 with the exception of a section, along which the second tear line 13 forms a semi-circular protrusion 21 which will expose a wall section 18 of the inner surface of the first side wall 2 upon separation of the tab 8.

Several modifications and variations are thus conceivable within the scope of the invention which thus is exclusively defined by the appended claims. 

1. A pouch type package for fluid contents, comprising two opposite flexible side walls forming a top corner portion which is provided with an opening initiation along which a tab is to be separated for opening of the package, wherein the opening initiation comprises a first tear line provided in a first of the two opposite flexible side walls, the first tear line constituting a single tear line provided in the first side wall, and a second tear line provided in a second of the two opposite flexible side walls, the second tear line constituting a single tear line provided in the second side wall, the first and second tear lines extend in an at least partly non-overlapping manner from a common starting point such that a wall section of an inner surface of the first side wall is exposed after separation of the tab.
 2. The pouch type package according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second tear lines have a common end point.
 3. The pouch type package according to claim 1, wherein the first tear line has a straight extension.
 4. The pouch type package according to claim 1, wherein the first and second tear lines each is formed as a weakening in the associated side wall.
 5. The pouch type package according to claim 1, wherein the first and second side walls of package are made of a multilayered packaging material.
 6. The pouch type packaging to claim 1, further comprising a seal forming a restricted flow passage in the top corner portion of the package, wherein a straw is insertable through an opening of the package formed upon separation of the tab and further through the restricted flow passage.
 7. The pouch type package according to claim 1, further comprising a straw supported by one of the first and second side walls.
 8. The pouch type package according to claim 1, further comprising a bottom wall.
 9. The pouch type package according to claim 1, wherein the pouch type package is of stand-up pouch type.
 10. Method of adaptation of a pouch type package for enabling insertion of a straw, the method comprising providing a pouch type package having two opposite flexible side walls forming a top corner portion of the package, arranging in said top corner portion an opening initiation along which a tab is to be separated for opening of the package, the opening initiation comprising a first tear line provided in a first of the two opposite flexible side walls, the first tear line constituting a single tear line provided in the first side wall, and a second tear line provided in a second of the two opposite flexible side walls, the second tear line constituting a single tear line provided in the second side wall, wherein the first and second tear lines are arranged to extend in an at least partly non-overlapping manner from a common starting point such that a wall section of an inner surface of the first side wall is exposed after separation of the tab, whereby a straw is insertable into the package after separation of the tab by placing a straw end of the straw on the exposed wall section of the inner surface of the first side wall and laterally pressing on the exposed wall section while pushing the straw into the package.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of arranging the opening initiation (7) in said top corner portion (6) is performed by forming the first and second tear lines (12, 13) in a web packaging material which subsequently is converted in to the pouch type package (1). 